Rumors of the imminent demise of county fairs haven't reached Santa Cruz County. The annual fair, which started Tuesday and concludes Sunday at the County Fairgrounds outside Watsonville, continues to plow the same ground it has for 126 years, so to speak.

Hundreds gathered alongside Santa Cruz County firefighters, police and other first responders Sunday for a solemn yet hopeful 9/11 memorial at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, commemorating the tragedy and honoring those who responded to the attacks and helped the country recover.